NC demands white paper on inquiries in J

Srinagar, Oct 23 (UNI) The main opposition National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir today demanded a white paper on all inquiries ordered by the coalition government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress into various incidents of custodial killings and human rights violations in the state since November 2002.

The party also rejected a magisterial probe ordered by the state government into the killing of Mohammad Maqbool Dar allegedly by the Army at Mohandpora, Pakharpora in Badgam district on Saturday and sought a time-bound judicial inquiry into it.

''The state government has ordered a so-called magisterial probe into the custodial killing of Dar which is unacceptable. We categorically reject that inquiry,'' senior NC leader Abdul Rahim Rather told a news conference here.

He condemned Dar's killing in the strongest terms.

Mr Rather, who is also the leader of the opposition in the state Assembly, said the coalition government, since it assumed power in the state in November 2002, has ordered several magisterial inquiries into various incidents.

''What has happened to those. The state government should publish a white paper on those inquiries. It should inform the people of the state about the results of those probes. The government orders these probes only to mislead the people. Who was punished?'' he added.

The NC leader said Dar, 20, was the only son of his aged parents, the sole bread earner of the family and absolutely innocent.

''It is unfortunate that those responsible for the protection of life and property of the people should indulge in such heinous and gruesome murders. This unjustified and totally uncalled act of security forces has sent shock waves not only in the area but in the entire state,'' he added.

Mr Rather said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad have time and again assured the people of the state that there would be zero tolerance as far as the human rights violations were concerned.

''Here is a test case for them to act and prove their words. The people of the state in general and near and dear ones of the deceased are eagerly waiting to see how far the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister believe in what they say,'' he added.

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